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More UK Train Companies Prepare to Launch On-Board WiFi Services
(27 Jan 2017, BWCS Staff)Two more UK train operators have announced plans to introduce passenger WiFi on their services. Both Arriva Train Wales and Chiltern Railways are working with Swedish/UK supplier Icomera to install and operate on-board Internet on their fleets.
ATW said it will roll out WiFi capability on its Class 150, 158 and 175 trains, which comprise 70% of its total rolling stock. This part of the installation process is set to be completed by the end of April this year. WiFi on ATW trains was initially promised by the then Prime Minister David Cameron, back in 2015, when he first announced plans to put government money behind the push to get WiFi onto all trains in the UK.
Lynne Milligan, customer service director at ATW, told the Rhyl, Prestatyn and Abergele Journal “This is definitely a positive step in the right direction towards responding to the needs of our customers and improving the overall customer experience of their journey.”
Meanwhile, Chiltern Railways, which has had on-board WiFi on many of its trains since 2011, is set to increase coverage to include 1,400 more services. Thanks to a grant from the Department for Transport, Chiltern says it will soon be able to offer free passenger WiFi on all of its trains.
The company said it is working in partnership with telecoms giant EE to provide a 'continuously connected' experience by eliminating all connectivity black spots on their rail network and adding extra capacity and coverage via a wireless trackside network.
Chiltern has also launched an integrated station and train WiFi proposition allowing those using the internet on the platform waiting for a train to seamlessly stay connected once they board.
Paul Maynard, rail minister, said: “We are investing nearly £50 million to roll out free, fast and reliable WiFi on trains.” He went on “we already require new franchisees to offer free WiFi as standard and are determined that 90% of all trains will have access to WiFi by the end of 2018.”
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